A scene from last year’s Halloween event at Don Carter State Park.
Tired of the same old neighborhood trick-or-treating routine, old haunts, and ghosts of Halloweens past? Try a walk on the wild side this month at Don Carter State Park where park naturalist Michaela Weis is stirring up a pot of fun.
Weis, whose two-year tenure has eclipsed that of other naturalists at the 13-year-old park, has brought life beyond the water into the 1,316-acre gem on the northern end of Lake Lanier. Hundreds of visitors flocked to Halloween-themed events last year. Scary stories, a hayride, treats, double feature movies, and a campground/cottage decorating contest beckon folks into the wooded tract again this year.
In story-telling sessions Oct. 9 and 17 Weis, a Hall County native, will dive into the Haunted History of Hall at a lakeside pavilion. “Growing up in Hall County, I’d already heard ghost stories and legends from elders,” she said. She collected more mysterious tales through interviews, experiences, and in-person encounters at the downtown Gainesville library. She’ll weave the stories in the shelter as the sun sets over the beach. Visitors are welcome to share their own stories, too. This one is not for the kiddies. Minimum suggested age is 17.
On movie night Oct. 23, families can bring blankets and cuddle up to watch a G-PG rated fall-themed movie followed by a scarier flick. The shows are projected on a big screen outside the Visitor Center, where attendees can purchase snacks. Call the Visitor Center to find out what’s playing.
The park’s biggest Halloween event swoops in Oct. 24: Trunk or Treat. Weis reported that 400 visitors donned costumes, decorated their vehicles, piled into a hay-filled cart and trunk-or-treated around the day use boat ramp. “Visitors park at the beach and take the hayride to the boat ramp,” she said. There, local organizations, including the Hall County Library and Northeast Georgia History Center, await outside decorated vehicles to give out treats or other items, like books. Individuals are invited to pull in and open a truck, too. “I love seeing everyone’s creativity,” Weis said. “There are not any scary decorations” in the family-friendly arena. Last year one group donned costumes from the movie, “Elf.” The evening ends with a campsite decorating contest at the RV campground. Weis and park manager Jamie Madden make rounds, judge décor, and hand out awards the next day.
Finally, on Halloween night, camp guests trick-or-treat at the campground, parading campsite to campsite collecting goodies.
Here’s the line-up at Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. 678-450-7726:
- Haunts of Hall County & Gainesville. Learn about ghosts, local legends and history from Hall County native, recommended for ages 17+, 7 p.m. Oct. 9 & 17, Picnic Shelter 3. Registration required. $3, plus $10 parking.
- Movie Night at the Park: Double Feature, Gainesville. Animated and action family movies, plus snacks, G-PG fall-themed movie, 7 p.m., scary movie 9 p.m. Oct. 23, outside Visitor Center. $10 parking.
- Trunk or Treat, Gainesville. Family friendly event with hayride to take trick or treaters to treats provided by local organizations & park rangers, costumes encouraged, 5-7 p.m., followed by campsite decorating contest, Oct. 24.
- Halloween Campsite Decoration Contest/Trick or Treat, Gainesville. Overnight guests decorate campsites for judging at 7:30 p.m., overnight trick or treaters visit RV campground & cottages 6-7 pm. Oct. 31.
See Outdoor Calendar for more Halloween events.
Photo: courtesy Don Carter State Park
The Mystery of Don Carter’s (State Park) Teeth
Lost teeth at Don Carter State Park.
Don Carter, for whom the beloved Georgia State Park on Lake Lanier is named, did not have false teeth. His son, Doug Carter told Lakeside News that the unusual find uncovered by a hiker last spring could not have come from the mouth of the 30+-year Georgia DNR employee who sparked state interest in developing the park in the 1990s.
Who then did the partial dental plate nearly buried on the park’s Hiking Loop 1 belong to? How long had it laid there? Why was it there? Did the teeth’s owner come to an unfortunate end decades ago or did someone just forget to put their teeth back in? And, could there be other remains or artifacts to help solve the mystery?
The questions started stewing after I spotted something pink in the brown dead leaves at my feet. I had unpacked my lunch and settled on a log about 50 yards above a dry creek bed. A couple of bites into my sandwich, I looked down at what I thought might be an early March wildflower or mushroom. I gingerly scraped the leaves and dirt away and to my surprise (and near horror), I had unearthed someone’s precious partial choppers. Seven white porcelain molars and incisors embedded in the rosy acrylic plate still bore wires that attached to whatever natural teeth the wearer possessed. I knew from my own mother’s ordeal getting fitted and paying for such an essential accessory I was looking at the outcome of months of adjustments and perhaps $10,000 of teeth. Not that they would be worth a penny to anyone other than the person who lost them.
As I stuck them in my pack, I got this eerie feeling that there might be clues submerged for years on the hillside. A skull? Femur? Fabric? Pots and pans? Bullets? I kicked around in the leaves, overturned some rocks and small logs, but found nothing but bugs and dirt.
About half an hour later when I extended my strange treasure to the Visitor Center clerk at closing, he jerked his hand back. He took it to the park’s Lost & Found in a paper towel.
Since then, I’ve explored that hillside many times seeking resolution. Nothing. Last month when researching Lakeside’s story on Halloween events at the park, the mystery of the teeth re-emerged. Were they still in Lost & Found? If so, could I find a serial number or take them to a dentist and identify the hapless owner? Had anyone claimed them? If so, what’s their story?
A call to the Visitor Center revealed the teeth were gone. It was thought that someone claimed them, but there was no entry in the logbook. The mystery remains unsolved, but the curiosity burns. Reader, if you or anyone you know has recovered teeth lost in the woods of Don Carter State Park, please send your story and a photo to lakesidenews@mindspring.com.
